I grew up in a small town, never dreaming I’d work with future tech like augmented reality. My childhood was simple, with few digital gadgets and lots of sci-fi movies. These early experiences shaped my career in ways I couldn’t imagine.

AR learning suddenly became a part of my life. I learned that 80% of jobs in 2030 don’t exist yet, and AR is leading this change¹. This sparked my desire to explore AR further.

My journey with augmented reality has been both exciting and tough. For 19 years, I’ve worked on enterprise software, seeing AR grow beyond gaming and social media into education and marketing².

AR technology has evolved fast, thanks to giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft². It’s amazing to see one-third of U.S. manufacturers using or planning to use AR/VR soon¹. This growth highlights AR’s huge potential for our future.

The Birth of a Passion: From Sci-Fi to Reality

Growing up on an Illinois farm, my world was far from the future tech I dreamed of. Science fiction opened my eyes to what could be. I spent hours at Blockbuster, renting VHS tapes that took me to advanced worlds.

Childhood Dreams and Future Tech

As a kid, I loved science fiction films and TV shows. They sparked my imagination and made me curious about future tech. I didn’t know then that my love for AR and VR started in 1935 with “Pygmalion’s Spectacles”³.

My journey from a simple farm to a global digital career was unexpected. It mirrored the fast growth of AR and VR. From the Sensorama in 1957 to Second Life in 2003, we’ve made big steps towards sci-fi worlds³.

The Impact of Science Fiction on Career Choices

Science fiction did more than entertain me; it shaped my future. It fueled my desire to work with advanced tech. Now, I’m part of an industry where AR training changes how we learn and work. Creating immersive experiences is now my reality.

The need for AR/VR experts is growing, especially in gaming. This growth offers many career paths, from developers to designers⁴. It’s thrilling to be in a field that keeps evolving and exploring new possibilities.

AR and VR are changing more than just entertainment. In real estate, for example, over 100 million shoppers used AR in 2021. These technologies let buyers see properties and furniture virtually⁵. It’s incredible to see how sci-fi ideas from my childhood are now improving real-world industries.

My First Encounter with Extended Reality (XR)

My journey into XR started in a master’s class on mobile communication. I had no idea it would open my eyes to a new world of immersive technology. XR, which includes VR, AR, and MR, was about to change how I see digital content⁶⁷.

In the class, we used VR headsets in a media lab. When I wore an Oculus device, I found myself in a world with dinosaurs. It was amazing. VR lets you dive into a 3D world, while AR adds digital stuff to the real one⁷.

This experience made me curious about XR’s uses beyond fun. I learned VR helps in healthcare and education for students with disabilities⁷. XR’s potential in retail and journalism also caught my attention⁶⁸.

After my first XR experience, I wanted to learn more. I looked into XR devices like the VIVE XR Elite and AR glasses from Lenovo⁸⁷. The idea of seeing more than 2D screens excited me. It’s clear XR will change how we interact with digital and real worlds.

Diving Into the World of Augmented Reality

My journey into augmented reality (AR) started with a workshop for higher education. AR mixes computer images with real scenes, making learning more interactive⁹. I created hands-on sessions to teach professors how to use this tech in their classes.

The workshop was a hit, leading to a presentation to the university board. I showed how AR could change education, pointing out that 110.1 million people in the U.S use AR¹⁰. This fact really caught the board’s attention, showing AR’s big role in education.

Creating AR Workshops for Higher Education

In my workshops, we looked at AR’s real-world uses. We saw how it makes learning better in subjects like anatomy, engineering, and art history. People were surprised to find out AR is used in many fields, not just games⁹.

Unexpected Opportunities in AR Research

My talk caught the eye of a team studying AR’s effects on utility workers. This led to a chance to explore AR’s uses in business. I found out AR makes manufacturing better by simplifying tasks, improving training, and boosting quality⁹.

As I dug deeper into AR research, I saw its huge potential. The AR market is expected to hit $332.60 billion by 2028, growing 46.4% each year¹¹. These numbers show AR’s growing importance in education and business.

From Novice to Expert: Building AR Knowledge

My journey into AR research started with a deep dive into literature. I studied technology acceptance and AR applications. This led me to publish a report on AR in the utility sector¹².

Literature Review and Publication

The literature review showed me the complexity of knowledge transfer in AR. I learned about the SECI model, which explains knowledge creation through socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization¹². This model helped me understand how AR aids in learning and sharing knowledge.

Focusing on Technology Acceptance and AR

My thesis focused on technology acceptance in AR. I looked into how AR can help organizations train employees by capturing expert knowledge¹². I discovered tools like EXTRACT™, which uncovers explicit, implicit, and tacit knowledge¹².

To grow my skills, I took online courses. The Virtual Reality Development Specialization by the University of London and the Extended Reality for Everybody program by the University of Michigan were very helpful¹³. These courses, along with my research, made me an AR expert in just a year.

With my new knowledge, I started writing for groups like the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance. I shared insights on AR’s uses in different industries. This not only improved my writing but also deepened my understanding of AR’s practical uses.

Augmented Reality in the Workplace

My career took an exciting turn when I joined marketing companies that help frontline workers with AR tools. The effect of corporate AR on safety, productivity, and work experience is amazing. Companies using AR see a 32% boost in productivity and a 46% cut in task time¹⁴.

AR makes workers better and helps them work with machines. It’s amazing to see how AR tools are changing things. For example, Boeing’s AR use cut wiring time by 25% and boosted productivity by 40%¹⁵. These gains are pushing companies to digitize faster and add AR to their work.

The power of AR in the workplace is huge. With U.S. employers spending $413 billion on on-the-job training, AR is a cost-effective option¹⁴. It shortens training time and boosts knowledge, making it key for companies to train their teams well.

I’ve seen how AR helps teams work together better, leading to more efficiency and new ideas. It’s not just about individual success; it’s about making work better for everyone. The market for smart glasses in business is set to hit $12.8 billion by 2025, showing AR’s bright future in work¹⁴.

The Impact of AR on Frontline Workers

AR training and corporate AR are changing how frontline workers do their jobs. With about 75% of the global workforce being frontline workers, the impact is huge¹⁶. These technologies are making safety, productivity, and teamwork better in the workplace.

Enhancing Safety and Productivity

AR in industrial settings is a big change. It can make frontline workers up to 50% more productive and cut down errors by 90%¹⁶. I’ve seen how AR-guided instructions and 3D models help workers do their jobs better.

AR solutions tackle big workforce challenges. With industrial manufacturing losing up to $50 billion to downtime and quality issues, new solutions are needed¹⁷. AR training gives workers quick access to knowledge, helping them learn faster and work safer.

Collaboration Between Humans and Machines

The mix of spatial computing and generative AI opens up new ways for humans and machines to work together. AR headsets show job aids and let workers ask questions naturally, making complex machinery easier to use¹⁷.

I’m looking forward to AR’s future in the workplace. With about 80% of the global workforce – around 2 billion frontline workers – set to benefit, the change is huge¹⁸. As products and manufacturing get more complex, AR will be key in tackling today’s industrial challenges.

The Growing Adoption of AR in Manufacturing

I’ve been really interested in how AR tools are changing manufacturing. The market for AR and VR in this field is growing fast. It’s expected to jump from $8.2 billion in 2022 to $74.1 billion by 2032¹⁹. This shows how much AR can change how things are made.

AR smart glasses are becoming key in factories. Experts think that by 2025, 27 million of these devices will be used²⁰. This is because AR makes work safer, more efficient, and easier to learn.

AR is changing how we train workers. It makes learning faster and safer²¹. For example, new employees can practice complex tasks in a safe virtual space before doing them for real.

AR also makes workplaces safer. It shows potential dangers in real-time, lowering accident risks²¹. This makes AR a crucial tool in factories.

AR in manufacturing is more than a trend; it’s a big change. It brings many benefits like better efficiency, safety, and training. As someone who loves AR, I’m looking forward to seeing how it will keep changing manufacturing.

My Role in the AR Industry: Marketing and Support

My journey in augmented reality became exciting when I started marketing and supporting AR for frontline workers. This role lets me mix my love for AR with my communication skills.

Writing About AR Technologies

Writing about AR and its benefits is a big part of my job. I talk about how AR learning boosts training and productivity. The numbers show 61% of people like stores that use AR, showing its growing appeal²².

Corporate AR is changing many industries. In 2021, AR marketing got $9.45 billion in funding, then $13.72 billion the next year²². This fast growth shows AR’s big potential in changing business and customer interactions.

Connecting with a Global AR Community

My job has grown my network, connecting me with AR fans worldwide. I’ve found AR campaigns are cheaper and more effective than old marketing ways, offering better value²³. This info helps me make content that appeals to tech lovers and business folks.

Working with new tech is very rewarding. I’m always impressed by AR’s ability to make experiences interactive and shareable, boosting brand visibility and user engagement²³. It’s thrilling to be part of an industry that’s changing how we interact with machines and learn.

Augmented Reality in Education: A Hands-On Approach

My journey into AR learning was exciting. I created a book on AR’s practical uses in classrooms. The aim was to help teachers use AR in their teaching.

AR in education brings digital elements to physical classrooms. It makes learning more engaging and helps understand complex ideas better²⁴. It supports different learning styles, making it useful for many subjects.

The potential of AR in education is huge. The market size for AR in education was $2.98 billion in 2024. It’s expected to hit $14.95 billion by 2030, growing 30.63% annually²⁵. This shows AR learning tools are becoming more popular in schools and universities.

AR is used in many areas, like STEM, History, Art, and Medicine²⁴. For example, Octagon Studio has AR-based flashcards for history, biology, and tech²⁶. These tools make learning fun and help students understand tough topics better.

AR training can make learning fun by turning it into a game. Studies show students who use gamified tools learn more and participate more²⁵. I’ve seen this in my AR workshops for college students, where they got more involved and excited.

Exploring AR in education is thrilling. It could change how we teach and learn. With a 75% CAGR for AR demand in K-12 education from 2021 to 2031, AR’s role in education’s future is clear²⁶.

Exploring AR Applications and Photo Recognition Software

My journey into AR tools showed me amazing apps that mix digital and real worlds. AR platforms are changing industries like entertainment and healthcare. They make our daily lives better in ways we never thought possible²⁷.

Google Lens and Its Capabilities

Google Lens really caught my attention. It uses computer vision to understand images, find objects, and give useful info. I was impressed by its text recognition, language translation, and plant identification skills²⁸.

At my DLINQ internship, I made activities to show off Google Lens’s power. Students enjoyed using it to explore the campus, making everyday things interactive learning tools. It showed them how AR can change education and more.

3D Object Scanning with MagiScan

MagiScan, a 3D object scanning app, was another cool AR platform I tried. It lets users make detailed 3D models of real objects with their phones. I showed a demo of its uses in architecture, design, and manufacturing²⁷.

My ongoing exploration of AR apps has shown me its huge potential. AR is changing how we shop, navigate, and interact with the world²⁸. I’m looking forward to seeing AR’s future as it keeps growing and combining with other tech.

Future Projects: AR in Language Learning and Campus Tours

I’m excited to start new projects in AR learning. I’m working with German Professor Bettina Matthias on an AR platform for language education. Our goal is to make learning feel like a trip to 1920s Germany, right on the Middlebury campus. This will help students learn German better.

Studies show that learning through experience can boost knowledge retention by up to 90%²⁹. We’re using different AR technologies to make this vision real. From 3D images to interactive sensors, we’re exploring new ways to teach.

Our project will let students learn at their own pace and make learning fun. This is part of the trend in AR education³⁰. We’re also looking into making the Middlebury campus a virtual 1920s Germany. This will give students a real feel of the culture.

By doing this, we’re not just teaching language. We’re giving students a cultural experience. Research shows that AR can make learning more engaging and immersive³¹. Projects like this show me how AR can change education for the better.

Source Links

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